(Crookston, Minn.) – The University of Minnesota, Crookston Men’s Hockey team got knocked on its heels Saturday afternoon as Concordia University of Wisconsin took an early 2-0 lead. However, the Golden Eagles battled back and Fred Kooser (So., Fwd., Omaha, Neb.) scored an even strength goal with just under four minutes left in the game to give U of M, Crookston a 4-3 victory at the Crookston Civic Arena. The win earns the Golden Eagles a Midwest Collegiate Hockey Association (MCHA) sweep over the Falcons.
Concordia University looked like the dominant team early as Jonathan Smith found the back of the net at 8:22 of the first period. Sam Aide put the Falcons up 2-0 with a power play goal at 11:20. The Golden Eagles gained some momentum when John Lombardi (So., Fwd., Apple Valley, Minn.) rocketed a shot past the Concordia University goaltender at 15:53 to cut the lead to 2-1. The even strength goal was assisted by Jared Kopp (Jr., Fed., Bismarck, N.D.).
U of M, Crookston tied the game 2-2 at 13:09 of the second period when Matt Marchel (So., Def., Grand Forks, N.D.) scored a power play goal off assists from Teal Plaine (Sr., Fwd., Hallock, Minn.) and Ryan Tucker (Sr., Fwd., Crookston, Minn.).
The Falcons took the lead once again at 6:10 of the third period when Aide scored his second goal of the game in even strength fashion. But the Golden Eagles were not to be denied as Tucker scored a power play goal at 9:21 to tie the game 3-3 off an assist from Matt Hann (Sr., Fwd., Crookston, Minn.). Kooser followed this up with the game winner at 16:07 off an assist from Lombardi.
Goaltender Eric Everson (Jr., G., Stevens Point, Wis.) was solid again in net recording 24 saves.
U of M, Crookston improves to 5-14-0 overall and 4-10-0 in the MCHA. Concordia University of Wisconsin falls to 2-17-0 overall and 2-12-0 in the MCHA. The Golden Eagles return to action next Friday and Saturday when they travel to Appleton, Wis. for an MCHA rematch with Lawrence University who they defeated 3-2 and 1-0 back on December 1-2, 2007. The puck will drop at 7:30 pm and 4:00 pm respectively.
For more information, visit the Golden Eagle Athletics website at www.goldeneaglesports.com.
The University of Minnesota, Crookston is a NCAA Division II Institution and a member of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC). Golden Eagle Hockey is a member of the Midwest Collegiate Hockey Association (MCHA). The Golden Eagle Equestrian team is a member of the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA).
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